On July 21, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine confirmed the destruction of two objects at the Khalino airfield in Kursk Oblast — a MiG-29 fighter jet and a Pantsir-S1 air defense system. The operation was carried out by the 15th Separate Artillery Intelligence Brigade "Black Forest."
What and Where
Khalino airfield is located 7 kilometers east of the city of Kursk. It is home to the 14th Fighter Aviation Regiment of the 105th Mixed Aviation Division of the Russian Aerospace Forces. According to Militarnyi publication, these MiG-29s are what Russia has been using to intercept Ukrainian long-range loitering munitions deep within its own territory.
The Pantsir-S1 was positioned there as well — defending the air base from the same drones that ultimately struck it. The General Staff assessed the total enemy losses: MiG-29 — approximately $25 million, Pantsir-S1 — $20 million.
How It Looked
"A MiG-29 fighter and Pantsir-S1 air defense system were destroyed. More to come."
— General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
Video footage of the operation released by the General Staff captures sequential strikes at multiple points on the airfield: first, a drone hits directly into the fuselage of one of two parked MiG-29s, then a separate strike records a hit on the Pantsir.
Context: Khalino Has Been Attacked Before
- 2023 — first drone attack on the airfield; according to Militarnyi, senior officers and pilots were among the wounded.
- 2025, earlier — an aviation ammunition depot was destroyed directly on the base territory.
- July 21, 2025 — confirmed destruction of a combat aircraft and air defense system.
A series of strikes on a single facility indicates accumulated intelligence information about the base, rather than random attempts. "Black Forest" is an artillery intelligence brigade, meaning the unit's primary expertise is in detection and guidance, not just strike execution.
If Russia restores its air presence at Khalino after three confirmed strikes, the question is whether it will leave the same assets openly on the aprons or finally disperse its equipment to shelters.
